A new exhibition explores the history of a Cockermouth site well known to generations of the town’s schoolchildren.
The Story of Strawberry How is being presented by Kirkgate Arts and Heritage at the town’s Kirkgate Centre from Wednesday, October 26 to Sunday, October 30.
A purpose-built complex of buildings opened at Strawberry How in 1881 as the Cockermouth Industrial School for Boys, certified to accommodate up to 150 boys, aged six to 13, in its first year.
Following its closure in 1921, the site housed the Cockermouth County Secondary School and then, following the 1944 Education Act, Cockermouth Grammar School through to its closure in 1991.
It was then converted to residential accommodation, which remains its current use.
Gloria Edwards, of Kirkgate Arts and Heritage, said: “The boys who entered the Industrial School came from other parts of the country, as well as Cumberland. They were boys seen to be in need of being set back on the straight and narrow.
“We relate the memories of one such boy from London, making use of his first-hand account dictated to his daughter in later years.
“When the Industrial School closed, there was great debate about alternative uses of the building but the eventual choice was as a county secondary school. Some of the pictures to be shown are of young men from around 1936, who must surely have been called up to fight in World War II.
“That school evolved into the County Grammar School with the 1944 Education Act and we are pleased to be able to put on display many of the framed sports team photographs rescued when the school was closed, together with photograph albums of pupils over several years, produced by teachers Jock and Marjorie Southgate, both well-loved by pupils.
“We also delve into Derwent School’s history, the school opening in 1958 in the building we now know as Cockermouth School.”
Admission to the exhibition is free and refreshments are available.
It will be open 11am to 4pm daily, closing early at 3.45pm on Saturday October 29.
